University Sustainable Real Estate Development

Mike Stopka had a project leadership role while Director of Sustainability at the University of Chicago

CLIENT: University of Chicago DATE: 2014 - 2015 LOCATION: Chicago, IL

PROJECT SCOPE: Helped pilot a project which spawned a US Department of Energy grant for creating an innovative model of including sustainable performance requirements in Request for Proposals (RFPs) to deliver the University's new buildings. Most recently is UChicago's David M Rubenstein Forum, currently completing design by Diller, Scofidio + Renfro.

DESCRIPTION: Sustainable buildings can be delivered on budget if performance requirements are set PRIOR to starting design. However, few developers or building owners do so with enough clarity or accountability. On it's last two building projects, the University of Chicago engaged a pre-project team, to help write new-building RFPs issued to design and construction bidders, to thoroughly and clearly define only the most valuable sustainable performance requirements, including specifically defined energy performance targets. This innovative approach led to higher-performance (lower operating costs) RFP submissions from bidding project teams that still came in on budget. Subsequently, the US Department of Energy funded a program, which is currently active, to help other building developers and owners get support to perform a similar process. Learn more.